Semiconductor memory devices having vertically-stacked transistors therein

ABSTRACT

Provided is a semiconductor device having transistors of stacked structure. The semiconductor memory device having transistors includes a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein a plurality of word lines are disposed on a first layer, and a plurality of drivers are disposed on at least two second layers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0052078, filed Jun. 3, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/953,289, filed on Dec. 10, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,589,992, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/191,496, filed Jul. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,315,466. The disclosures of all these applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to integrated circuit devices and, more particularly, to semiconductor memory devices.

BACKGROUND

Conventional semiconductor memory devices may include a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, which store data and a peripheral circuit which controls data input/output to/from the memory cell array. A static memory cell (e.g., SRAM cell) includes a plurality of transistors, and a dynamic memory cell (e.g., DRAM cell) includes one transistor and one capacitor. The peripheral circuit may include an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate, where each of the gates includes transistors. In the typical memory cell and peripheral circuit, all of a plurality of transistors are arranged on the same layer above a semiconductor substrate. Thus, as the capacity of the memory cell array (i.e., the number of the memory cells) is increased, the layout area size is also increased, which may lead to large chip size.

For the foregoing reason, research has been performed to reduce the layout area size even as a capacity of the memory cell array is increased. For example, a method of reducing layout area size of the memory cell array by stacking transistors in a memory cell has been introduced (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A and 6A).

However, if layout area size of the peripheral circuit as well as layout area size of the memory cell array is reduced, the total area size of the semiconductor memory device can be reduced as much. Besides, as transistors that form the memory cell are stacked, the transistors, which form the memory cell, should have different structure.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure comprises a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least one first layer, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least one second layer different from the first layer.

Each of the plurality of drivers comprises at least two second transistors.

The plurality of memory cells are static memory cells, the static memory cell further comprises two second transistors, the first transistor is disposed on the first layer, and the second transistors are disposed on at least one of the first layer and the second layer.

The plurality of memory cells are non-volatile memory cells, and the at least one first transistor is disposed on the first layer.

A second aspect of a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure comprises a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least one first layer, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least two second layers different from the at lease one first layer.

A third aspect of a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure comprises a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least two first layers, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least one second layer different from the two first layers.

A fourth aspect of a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure comprises a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein the plurality of word lines are dispersed and stacked on at least two layers, and the plurality of drivers connected to the plurality of word lines are disposed on a corresponding layer of the at least two layers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a typical semiconductor memory device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a row decoder or a column decoder of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are circuit diagrams illustrating a static memory cell of a memory cell array, and an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate which constitute a peripheral circuit in the conventional semiconductor memory device;

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an arrangement of transistors which constitute the static memory cell and transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate in the conventional semiconductor memory device;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are views respectively illustrating different arrangement of transistors of the static memory cell and transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate of the peripheral circuit in the conventional semiconductor memory device;

FIGS. 6A to 6D are views respectively illustrating another different arrangement of transistors of the static memory cell and transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate of the peripheral circuit in the conventional semiconductor memory device;

FIGS. 7A to 7D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A to 16D are plane views illustrating respective arrangement of the memory cell, the inverter, the NAND gate, and the NOR gate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are cross-sectional views respectively taken along line I-I′ and II-II′ of FIG. 16A, illustrating structure of the memory cell according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 18 to 20 are cross-sectional views taken along line X-X′ of FIGS. 10B to 16B, FIGS. 10C to 16C, and FIGS. 10D to 16D, illustrating the structure of the memory cell according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a plan view illustrating the inverter of the peripheral circuit of FIG. 24B;

FIGS. 26A and 26B to FIGS. 34A and 34B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for manufacturing the memory cell and the inverter;

FIG. 35 shows a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 36 shows one embodiment of a driver shown in FIG. 35;

FIGS. 37A to 37C show a first exemplary arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 38A and 38B show a second exemplary arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 39 shows a third exemplary arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 40 shows another embodiment of a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 41 shows one embodiment of the driver shown in FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a typical semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1 includes a memory cell array 10, a row decoder 12, a data I/O gate 14, a column decoder 16, a data I/O circuit 18, and a controller 20. In FIG. 1, wl1 to wlm denote word line selecting signals, y1 to yn denote column selecting signals, WL1 to WLm denote word lines, and BL1,BL1B to BLn,BLnB denote bit line pairs. Functions of components of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1 will be described below.

The memory cell array 10 includes a plurality of static memory cells MC11 to MCmn respectively connected between each of the word lines WL1 to WLm and each of the bit line pairs BL1,BL1B to BLn,BLnB, receives data din and writes it onto a selected memory cell during write operations, and reads data stored in a selected memory cell and outputs the data dout during read operations. The row decoder 12 decodes a row address RA to generate the word line selecting signals wl1 to wlm in response to an active command ACT. The data I/O gate 14 transmits data Din as data din during the write operations and transmits data dout as data Dout during the read operations, in response to the column selecting signals y1 to yn. The column decoder 16 decodes a column address CA to generate the column selecting signals y1 to yn, in response to read and write commands RD, WR. The data I/O circuit 18 receives data DIN and outputs data Din in response to the write command WR, and receives data Dout and outputs data DOUT in response to the read command RD. The controller 20 receives a command COM to generate the active command ACT, the read command RD, and the write command WR.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the row decoder or the column decoder of the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 1. The decoder of FIG. 2 includes two pre-decoders 30 and 32 and a main decoder 34. The two pre-decoders 30 and 32 and the main decoder 34 include a two-input NAND gate NA and an inverter INV, respectively. The decoder of FIG. 2 is configured to receive 4-bit address A1 to A4 to generate 16 decoding signals DRA1 to DRA16. Functions of components of the decoder of FIG. 2 will be explained below.

Each of the pre-decoders 30 and 32 decodes two 2-bit addresses A1,A2 and A3,A4 to output pre-decoded signals DRA1B2B to DRA12 and DRA3B4B to DRA34. The main decoder 34 decodes the pre-decoded signals DRA1B2B to DRA12 and DRA3B4B to DRA34 to generate decoding signals DRA1 to DRA16. The static memory cell of the memory cell array of the semiconductor memory device includes six (6) transistors, and the column or row decoder includes logic gates such as an inverter and a NAND gate. The inverter includes two transistors, and the NAND gate includes at least 4 transistors. The column or row decoder of FIG. 2 includes the two-input NAND gate and thus is comprised of four transistors, but in case where the decoder of FIG. 2 includes a 3- or 4-input NAND gate, it is comprised of 6 or 8 transistors. The data I/O circuit 18 and the controller 20 further includes a NOR gate in addition to the inverter and the NAND gate.

FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram illustrating the static memory cell of the memory cell array of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3B to 3D are circuit diagrams respectively illustrating an inverter, a NAND gate, and a NOR gate which constitute the peripheral circuit. As shown in FIG. 3A, the static memory cell includes PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 and NMOS transistors PD1, PD2, T1, and T2. The PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 are pull-up transistors, and the NMOS transistors are pull-down transistors, and the NMOS transistors T1 and T2 are transmission transistors. Operation of the static memory cell of FIG. 3A will be described below.

If the word line WL is selected so that the NMOS transistors T1 and T2 are turned on, data is transmitted between the bit line BL and the storage node a, and data is transmitted between an inverted bit line BLB and a storage node b. If data of the storage node b has a high level, the NMOS transistor PD1 makes the storage node a have a low level, and if data of the storage node b has a low level, the PMOS transistor PU1 makes the storage node a have a high level. Likewise, if data of the storage node a has a high level, the NMOS transistor PD2 makes the storage node b have a low level, and if data of the storage node a has a low level, the PMOS transistor PU2 makes the storage node b have a high level. That is, the two PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 and the two NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2 serve as a latch and latches data of the storage nodes a and b.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the inverter includes a PMOS transistor P1 and an NMOS transistor N1. In FIG. 3B, the PMOS transistor P1 is a pull-up transistor, and the NMOS transistor N1 is a pull-down transistor. Operation of the inverter of FIG. 3B is as follows. If an input signal IN having a high level is inputted, the NMOS transistor N1 is turned on to make an output signal OUT have a low level, i.e., a ground voltage Vss level. On the other hand, if an input signal IN having a low level is inputted, the PMOS transistor P1 is turned on to make the output signal OUT have a high level, i.e., a power voltage Vcc level. That is, the inverter of FIG. 3B is comprised of one pull-up transistor and one pull-down transistor and inverts an input signal IN to generate the output signal OUT.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the NAND gate includes PMOS transistors P2 and P3 and NMOS transistors N2 and N3. In FIG. 3C, the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 are pull-up transistors, and the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are pull-down transistors. Operation of the NAND gate of FIG. 3C is as follows. If at least one of input signals IN1 and IN2 having a low level is applied, the PMOS transistor P2 and/or the PMOS transistor P3 are/is turned on to make an output signal OUT have a high level, i.e., a power voltage Vcc level. On the other hand, if the input signals IN1 and IN2 having a high level are applied, the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are turned on to make the output signal OUT have a low level.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the NOR gate includes PMOS transistors P4 and P5 and NMOS transistors N4 and N5. In FIG. 3D, the PMOS transistors P3 and P4 are pull-up transistors, and the NMOS transistors are pull-down transistors. Operation of the NOR gate of FIG. 3D is as follows. If at least one of input signals IN1 and IN2 having a high level is applied, the NMOS transistor N4 and/or the NMOS transistor N5 are/or turned on to make an output signal OUT have a low level, i.e., a ground voltage Vss level. On the other hand, if input signals IN1 and IN2 having a low level are applied, the PMOS transistors P4 and P5 are turned on to make the output signal OUT have a high level.

FIG. 4A is a view illustrating arrangement of the transistors which constitute the static memory cell of FIG. 3A, and FIGS. 4B to 4D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of the transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, it appears that a bit line pair BL and BLB, a word line WL, a power voltage line VCCL, and a ground voltage line VSSL are arranged on difference layers, but they are not always arranged on difference layers.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the transistors PD1, PD2, PU1, PU2, T1, and T2 of FIG. 3A are arranged on the same layer 1F. A source of the NMOS transistor T1 is connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor PD1, a source of the NMOS transistor PD1 is connected to a source of the NMOS transistor PD2, and a drain of the NMOS transistor PD2 is connected to a source of the NMOS transistor T2. A drain of the NMOS transistor T1 is connected to a bit line BL, a drain of the NMOS transistor T2 is connected to an inverted bit line BLB, gates of the NMOS transistors T1 and T2 are connected to the word line, and sources of the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2 are connected to the ground voltage line VSSL. A drain of the PMOS transistor PU1 is connected to a source of the NMOS transistor PD1, a source of the PMOS transistor PU1 is connected to the power voltage line VCCL, and a gate of the PMOS transistor PU1 is connected to a gate of the NMOS transistor PD1 and a drain of the NMOS transistor PD2. A drain of the PMOS transistor PU2 is connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor PD2, a source of the PMOS transistor PU2 is connected to the power voltage line VCCL, and a gate of the PMOS transistor PU2 is connected to a gate of the NMOS transistor PD2.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the transistors P1 and N1 of FIG. 3B are arranged on the same floor 1F. The PMOS transistor P1 has a source connected to the power voltage line VCCL, a drain connected to an output signal line OUTL, and a gate connected to an input signal line INL. The NMOS transistor N1 has a source connected to the ground voltage line VSSL, a drain connected to the output signal line OUTL, and a gate connected to the input signal line INL.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the transistors P2, P3, N2 and N3 of FIG. 3C are arranged on the same layer 1F. A source of the PMOS transistor P3 is connected to a source of the PMOS transistor P2, and a drain of the PMOS transistor P3 is connected to the output signal line OUTL. Gates of the PMOS transistor P3 and the NMOS transistor N3 are connected to an input signal line IN1L, gates of the PMOS transistor P2 and the NMOS transistor N2 are connected to an input signal line IN2L, drains of the PMOS transistor P2 and the NMOS transistor N2 are connected, sources of the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are connected, and a drain of the NMOS transistor N3 is connected to the ground voltage line VSSL.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the transistors P4, P5, N4, and N5 of FIG. 3D are arranged on the same layer 1F. A drain of the PMOS transistor P4 is connected to a source of the PMOS transistor P5, a drain of the PMOS transistor P5 is connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor N5, a source and a gate of the PMOS transistor P4 are respectively connected to the power voltage line VCCL and the input signal line IN2L, a gate of the PMOS transistor P5 is connected to the input signal line IN1L, drains of the PMOS transistor P5 and the NMOS transistor N5 are connected to the output signal line OUTL, and a drain, a gate and a source of the NMOS transistor N4 are respectively connected to the output signal line OUTL, the input signal line IN2L and the ground voltage line VSSL.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, all of the transistors which constitute the memory cell and the peripheral circuit of the conventional semiconductor memory device are arranged on the same layer 1F, and thus in case where capacitor of the memory cell is increased, layout area size is also increased.

In order to reduce the layout area size of the memory cell of the semiconductor memory device, a method of arranging transistors, which constitute the memory cell on two or three layers has been introduced. FIGS. 5A to 5D are views respectively illustrating different arrangements of the transistors of the static memory cell and the transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate of the peripheral circuit in the conventional semiconductor memory device, where the transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on two layers.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the NMOS transistors PD1, PD2, T1, and T2 are arranged on a first layer 1F, and the PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 are arranged on a second layer 2F. Connections between the transistors PD1, PD2, PU1, PU2, T1, and T2 are identical to those of FIG. 4A. Like arrangement of FIGS. 4B to 4D, the transistors P1 to P5 and N1 to N5 of FIGS. 5B to 5D which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate are arranged on the first layer 1F. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on the two layers and the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit are on one layer, the layout area size of the memory cell array is reduced, but the layout area size of the peripheral circuit is not reduced.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are views respectively illustrating another different arrangement of the transistors of the static memory cell and the transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate of the peripheral circuit in the conventional semiconductor memory device, where the transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on three layers.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2 are arranged on a first layer 1F, the PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 are arranged on a second layer 2F, and the access transistors T1 and T2 are arranged on a third layer 3F. Connections between the transistors PD1, PD2, PU1, PU2, T1, and T2 are identical to those of FIG. 4A.

Like the arrangement of FIGS. 4B to 4D, the transistors P1 to P5 and N1 to N5 of FIGS. 6B to 6D which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate are arranged on the first layer 1F. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on the three layers and the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit are on one layer, the layout area size of the memory cell array is reduced, but the layout area size of the peripheral circuit is not reduced. In the conventional arrangement of the semiconductor memory device, the layout area size of the memory cell array is reduced by arranging the transistors, which constitute the static memory cell on two or three layers, but since the transistors, which constitute the peripheral circuit, are arranged on one layer, the layout area size of the peripheral circuit is not reduced.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 7A to 7D show arrangement of transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit in case where transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on two layers.

Like arrangement of FIG. 5A, transistors PD1, PD2, PU1, PU2, T1, and T2 of FIG. 7A that constitute the static memory cell are arranged on two layers. As shown in FIG. 7B, an NMOS transistors N1 is arranged on the first layer 1F, and a PMOS transistor P1 is arranged on the second layer 2F. Connection between the transistors N1 and P1, which constitute the inverter, are identical to those of FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 7C, NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are arranged on the first layer 1F, and PMOS transistors P2 and P3 are arranged on the second layer 2F. Connections between the transistors N2, N3, P2, and P3, which constitute the NAND gate, are identical to those of FIG. 4C. As shown in FIG. 7D, NMOS transistors N4 and N4 are arranged on the first layer 1F, and PMOS transistors P4 and P5 are arranged on the second layer 2F. Connections between the transistors N4, N5, P4, and P5 which constitute the NOR gate are identical to those of FIG. 4D. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the semiconductor memory device of the present invention can reduce the layout area size by arranging the transistors which constitute the memory cell on two layers and arranging the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit on two layers. The transistors of FIGS. 7B to 7D may be arranged on different layers from those shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. For example, the transistors do not need to be always arranged on the first and second layers and may be arranged on the first and third layers or the second and third layers.

However, the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor may be arranged on the first layer, but it is preferred to arrange the same type transistor on the second layer 2F as the transistor arranged on the second layer of the memory cell for the convenience of manufacturing process. For example, it is preferable to arrange the NMOS transistor which is to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the peripheral circuit if the transistors to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the memory cell are NMOS transistors, and it is preferable to arrange the PMOS transistor which is to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the peripheral circuit if the transistors to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the memory cell are PMOS transistors.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 8A to 8D show arrangement of transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit in case where transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on three layers. Like arrangement of FIG. 6A, the transistors of FIG. 8A, which constitute the static memory cell, are arranged such that the pull-down transistors PD1 and PD2 are arranged on the first layer 1F, the pull-up transistors PU1 and PU2 are arranged on the second layer 2F, and the transmission transistors T1 and T2 are arranged on the third layer. As shown in FIG. 8B, NMOS transistors N1-1 and N1-2, which have ½ channel width of channel width of the NMOS transistor N1 of FIG. 3B are arranged. The NMOS transistor N1-2 is arranged on the first layer 1F, the PMOS transistor P1 is arranged on the second layer 2F, and the NMOS transistor N1-1 is arranged on the third layer 3F. Gates, drains and sources of the NMOS transistors N1-1 and N1-2 are commonly connected, and connections between the NMOS transistors N1-1 and N1-2 and the PMOS transistor P1 are identical to those of FIG. 4B.

As shown in FIG. 8C, a PMOS transistor P2 and an NMOS transistor N2 are arranged on the first layer 1F, the PMOS transistor P3 is arranged on the second layer 2F, and an NMOS transistor N3 is arranged on the third layer 3F. Connections between the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 and the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are identical to those of FIG. 4C.

As shown in FIG. 8D, NMOS transistors N4-1 and N4-2 which have ½ channel width of channel width of the NMOS transistor N4 and NMOS transistors N5-1 and N5-2 which have ½ channel width of channel width of the NMOS transistor N5 are arranged. The NMOS transistors N4-1 and N5-1 are arranged on the first layer 1F, PMOS transistors P4 and P5 are arranged on the second layer 2F, and the NMOS transistors N5-1 and N5-2 are arranged on the third layer 3F. Gates, sources and drains of the NMOS transistors N4-1 and N4-2 are commonly connected, and Gates, sources and drains of the NMOS transistors N5-1 and N5-2 are commonly connected. Connections between the PMOS transistors P4 and P5 and the NMOS transistors N4 and N5 are identical to those of FIG. 4D.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8D, the semiconductor memory device of the present invention can reduce the layout area size by arranging the transistors which constitute the memory cell on three layers and arranging the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit on three layers.

FIGS. 9A to 9D are views respectively illustrating the arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter, a NAND gate and a NOR gate of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 9A to 9D show arrangement of transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit in case where transistors which constitute the memory cell are arranged on three layers. Like the arrangement of FIG. 8A, the transistors of FIG. 9A, which constitute the static memory cell, are arranged on three layers.

As shown in FIG. 9B, PMOS transistors P1-1 and P1-2 which have ½ channel width of channel width of the PMOS transistor P1 which constitutes the inverter are arranged. The PMOS transistor P1-1 is arranged on the first layer 1F, the PMOS transistor P1-2 is arranged on the second layer 2F, and the NMOS transistor N1 is arranged on the third layer 3F. Gates, drains and sources of the PMOS transistors P1-1 and P1-2 are commonly connected, and connections between the PMOS transistors P1-1 and P1-2 and the NMOS transistor N1 are identical to those of FIG. 4B.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the PMOS transistors P2-1 and P2-2 and the PMOS transistors P3-1 and P3-2 which respectively have ½ channel width of respective channel width of the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 which constitute the NAND gate are arranged. The PMOS transistors P2-2 and P3-2 are arranged on the first layer 1F, the PMOS transistors P2-1 and P3-1 are arranged on the second layer 2F, and the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are arranged on the third layer 3F. Gates, drains and sources of the PMOS transistors P2-1 and P2-2 are commonly connected, and gates, drains and sources of the PMOS transistors P3-1 and P3-2 are commonly connected, and connections between the PMOS transistors P2-1, P2-2, P3-1, and P3-2 and the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 are identical to those of FIG. 4C.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the PMOS transistors P4-1 and P4-2 and the PMOS transistors P5-1 and P5-2 which respectively have ½ channel width of respective channel width of the PMOS transistor P4 and P5 which constitute the NOR gate are arranged. The PMOS transistors P4-1 and P5-1 are arranged on the first layer 1F, the PMOS transistors P4-2 and P5-2 are arranged on the second layer 2F, and the NMOS transistors N4 and N5 are arranged on the third layer 3F. Gates, drains and sources of the PMOS transistors P4-1 and P4-2 are commonly connected, and gates, drains and sources of the PMOS transistors P5-1 and P5-2 are commonly connected, and connections between the PMOS transistors P4-1, P4-2, P5-1, and P5-2 and the NMOS transistors N4 and N5 are identical to those of FIG. 4D.

The PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor may be arranged on the first layer, but it is preferred to arrange the same type transistor on the second layer 2F as the transistor arranged on the second layer of the memory cell for the convenience of manufacturing process. For example, it is preferable to arrange the PMOS transistor which is to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the peripheral circuit if the transistors to be arranged on the second layer 2F of the memory cell are PMOS transistors, and it is preferable to arrange the NMOS transistor which is to be arranged on the third layer 3F of the peripheral circuit if the transistors to be arranged on the third layer 3F of the memory cell are NMOS transistors.

Arrangement and structure of the inverter, the NAND gate, and the NOR gate which constitute the static memory cell and the peripheral circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.

FIGS. 10A to 16D are plan views illustrating respective arrangement of the memory cell, the inverter, the NAND gate, and the NOR gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 17A and 17B are cross-sectional views respectively taken along line I-I′ and II-II′ of FIG. 16A, illustrating structure of the memory cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 18 to 20 are cross-sectional views taken along line X-X′ of FIGS. 10B to 16B, FIGS. 10C to 16C, and FIGS. 10D to 16D, illustrating the structure of the memory cell according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 17A and 17B, a first active area 1 b′ and a second active area 1 a′ are arranged on a semiconductor substrate SUB in a parallel direction to a y axis opposing to each other, and one end of the second active area 1 a′ extends to be parallel to an x axis. A third active area 1 b″ and a fourth active area 1 a″ are arranged on a semiconductor substrate SUB in a parallel direction to a y axis opposing to each other, and one end of the fourth active area 1 a″ extends to be parallel to an x axis. A gate pattern 1 c′ is arranged in the x axis direction to cross over the first and second active areas 1 b′ and 1 a′ which are arranged to be parallel to the y axis, and a gate pattern 1 c″ is arranged in the x axis direction to cross over the third and fourth active areas 1 b″ and 1 a″ which are arranged to be parallel to the y axis. A drain region PD1D is provided on a surface of the first active area 1 b′ which is located at one side of the gate pattern 1 c′, and a source region PD1S is provided on a surface of the second active area 1 a′ which is located on the other side of the gate pattern 1 c′. Likewise, a drain region PD2D is provided on a surface of the third active area 1 b″ which is located at one side of the gate pattern 1 c″, and a source region PD2S is provided on a surface of the fourth active area 1 a″ which is located on the other side of the gate pattern 1 c″. The gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″ may include a gate electrode PD1G of the NMOS transistor PD1 and a capping insulating layer 2 a′ which are stacked in order and a gate electrode PD2G of the NMOS transistor PD2 and a capping insulating layer 2 a″ which are stacked in order, respectively, and gate insulating layers 2 b′ and 2 b″ are respectively interposed between the respective gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″ and the semiconductor substrate SUB. A spacer 2 c may be arranged on side walls of the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″, and an interlayer insulator 2 e is arranged over the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2. An etching stopper layer 2 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 2 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2. Accordingly, the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2, which are bulk-transistors, are formed on the semiconductor substrate SUB.

Referring to FIGS. 10B and 18, first and second active areas 20 a′ and 20 b′ are arranged on a semiconductor substrate SUB opposing to each other, and a gate pattern 20 c′ is arranged in the y axis direction to cross over the first and second active areas 20 a′ and 20 b′, and one end of the gate pattern 20 c′ extends in a direction of the x axis where the first active area 20 a′ is located. A drain region N1D of the NMOS transistor N1 is provided on a surface of the first active area 20 a′, and a source region N1S of the NMOS transistor N1 is provided on a surface of the second active area 20 b′. The gate pattern 20 c′ of the NMOS transistor N1 may include a gate electrode N1G of the NMOS transistor N1 and a capping insulating layer 21 a which are stacked in order, and a gate insulating layer 21 b is interposed between the gate pattern 20 c′ and the semiconductor substrate SUB. A spacer 21 c may be arranged on side walls of the gate pattern 20 c′, and an interlayer insulator 21 e is arranged over the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistor N1. An etching stopper layer 21 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 21 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistor N1. Accordingly, the NMOS transistor N1 which is a bulk-transistor which constitutes the inverter is formed on the semiconductor substrate SUB.

Referring to FIGS. 10C and 19, first to third active areas 40 a′, 40 b′ and 40 a″ are arranged on a semiconductor substrate SUB. A gate pattern 40 c′ is arranged in the y axis direction above the first and second active areas 40 a′ and 40 b′, and one end of the gate pattern 40 c′ is arranged in a direction of the x axis where the first active area 40 a′ is located. A gate pattern 40 c″ is arranged in the y axis direction above the second and third active areas 40 b′ and 40 a″, and one end of the gate pattern 40 c″ is arranged in a direction of the x axis where the third active area 40 a″ is located. One end of the gate pattern 40 c′ and one end of the gate pattern 40 c″ are arranged to face each other in diagonal line direction. The gate pattern 40 c′ of the NMOS transistor N2 may includes a gate electrode N2G of the NMOS transistor N2 and a capping insulating layer 41 a′, and a gate insulating layer 41 b′ is interposed between the gate pattern 40 c′ and the semiconductor substrate SUB. A drain region N2D of the NMOS transistor N2 is provided on a surface of the first active area 40 a′ of the semiconductor substrate SUB, and a source region N2S of the NMOS transistor N2 and a drain region N3D of the NMOS transistor N3 are provided on a surface of the second active area 40 b′. A spacer 41 c may be arranged on side walls of the gate pattern 40 c′, and an interlayer insulator 41 e is arranged over the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistor N2. An etching stopper layer 41 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 41 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB having the NMOS transistor N2. Likewise, the gate pattern 40 c″ of the NMOS transistor N3 is provided in the same form as the gate pattern 40 c′ of the NMOS transistor N2. Accordingly, the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 which are bulk-transistors, which constitute the NAND gate, is formed on the semiconductor substrate SUB.

Referring to FIGS. 10D and 20, an N well N WELL is formed on a semiconductor substrate SUB, and first to third active areas 60 a′, 60 b′ and 60 a″ are provided in the N well N WELL. Gate patterns 60 c′ and 60 c″ are provided in the same form as those of FIG. 10C. As shown in FIG. 20, the PMOS transistors P4 and P5, which are bulk-transistors, are formed on the semiconductor substrate SUB. The PMOS transistors P4 and P5 have the same form as the NMOS transistors N2 and N3 of FIG. 19.

Referring to FIGS. 11A, 17A and 17B, the drain region PD1D of the NMOS transistor PD1 is electrically connected to a lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′ which penetrates the interlayer insulator 2 e and the etching stopper layer 2 d, and the drain region PD2D of the NMOS transistor PD2 is electrically connected to a lower node semiconductor plug 3 a″ which penetrates the interlayer insulator 2 e and the etching stopper layer 2 d. Lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ are arranged on the interlayer insulator 2 e to respectively cover the lower node semiconductor plugs 3 a′ and 3 a″.

Referring to FIGS. 11B and 18, the drain region N1D of the NMOS transistor N1 is electrically connected to a node semiconductor plug 22 b, which penetrates the interlayer insulator 21 e and the etching stopper layer 21 d, and a lower body pattern 22 a is arranged on the interlayer insulator 21 e to cover the node semiconductor plug 22 b.

Referring to FIGS. 11C and 19, the drain region N2D of the NMOS transistor N2 is electrically connected to a node semiconductor plug 42 b, which penetrates the interlayer insulator 41 e and the etching stopper layer 41 d, and a lower body pattern 42 a is arranged on the interlayer insulator 41 e to cover the node semiconductor plug 42 b.

In case where the memory cell, the inverter, the NAND gate are arranged as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C, the NOR gate of FIG. 11D has the same arrangement as that of FIG. 10D.

Referring to FIGS. 12A, 17A and 17B, a gate pattern 4 b′ of the PMOS transistor PU1 is arranged to cross over the lower body pattern 3 b′, and a gate pattern 4 b″ of the PMOS transistor PU2 is arranged to cross over the lower body pattern 3 b″. An upper node semiconductor plug 4 a′ is arranged above the lower body pattern 3 b′ at a location where the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′ is arranged, and an upper node semiconductor plug 4 a″ is arranged above the lower body pattern 3 b″ at a location where the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a″ is arranged. Gate electrodes PU1G and PU2G of the PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 are respectively arranged above the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″. A source region PU1S and a drain region PU1D of the PMOS transistor PU1 are provided in the lower body pattern 3 b′, and a source region PU2S and a drain region PU2D of the PMOS transistor PU2 are provided in the lower body pattern 3 b″. Accordingly, the PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2, which are thin film transistors, are stacked on the NMOS transistors PD1 and PD2.

Referring to FIGS. 12B and 18, a gate pattern 23 a is arranged above the lower body pattern 22 a in the same form as the gate pattern 20 c′. A gate electrode P1G of the PMOS transistor P1 is arranged above the lower body pattern 22 a, and a drain region P1D and a source region P1S of the PMOS transistor P1 are provided in the lower body pattern 22 a. A capping insulating layer 24 a is arranged above the gate electrode P1G, and a gate insulating layer 24 b is arranged below the gate electrode P1G. A spacer 24 c may be arranged on side walls of the gate pattern 23 a, and an interlayer insulator 24 e is arranged over the whole surface of the lower body pattern 22 a having the PMOS transistor P1. An etching stopper layer 24 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 24 e and the lower body pattern 22 a having the PMOS transistor P1. Accordingly, the PMOS transistor P1 is stacked above the NMOS transistor N1.

Referring to FIGS. 12C and 19, gate patterns 43 a′ and 43 a″ are arranged above the lower body pattern 42 a to overlap over the gate patterns 40 c′ and 40 c″. Gate electrodes P2G and P3G are arranged of the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 above the lower body pattern 42 a, and a drain region P2D of the PMOS transistor P2, a source region P2S of the PMOS transistor P2, a source region P3S of the PMOS transistor P3, and a drain region P3D of the PMOS transistor P3 are provided in the lower body pattern 42 a. A capping insulating layer 44 a′ is arranged above the gate electrode P2G, and a gate insulating layer 44 b′ is arranged below the gate electrode P2G. Likewise, a capping insulating layer 44 a″ is arranged above the gate electrode P3G, and a gate insulating layer 44 b″ is arranged below the gate electrode P3G. Spacers 44 c′ and 44 c″ are arranged on side walls of the gate patterns 43 a′ and 43 a″, and an interlayer insulator 44 e is arranged over the whole surface of the lower body pattern 42 a having the PMOS transistors P2 and P3. An etching stopper layer 44 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 44 e and the lower body pattern 42 a having the PMOS transistors P2 and P3. Accordingly, the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 are stacked above the NMOS transistors N2 and N3, respectively.

In case where the memory cell, the inverter, the NAND gate are arranged as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C, the NOR gate of FIG. 12D has the same arrangement as that of FIG. 11D.

Referring to FIGS. 13A, 17A and 17B, upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ are arranged on an interlayer insulator 5 e. The upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ are arranged to cover the upper node semiconductor plugs 4 a′ and 4 a″, respectively and to overlap over the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″. A word line pattern 6 b is arranged to cross over the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ and to overlap the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″. Word lines T1G and T2G are arranged above the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″, and a drain region T1D and a source region T1S of the transmission transistor T1 are arranged in the upper body pattern 6 a′, and a drain region T2D and a source region T2S of the transmission transistor T2 are arranged in the upper body pattern 6 a″. A capping insulating layer 7 a is arranged above the word lines T1G and T2G, and a gate insulating layer 7 b is arranged below the word lines T1G and T2G, and a pacer 7 c is arranged on a side wall of the word line pattern 6 b. An interlayer insulator 7 e is arranged over the whole surface of the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ having the transmission transistors T1 and T2. An etching stopper layer 7 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 7 e and the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ having the transmission transistors T1 and T2. Accordingly, the transmission transistors T1 and T2 which are thin film transistors are stacked above the pull-up transistors PU1 and PU2, respectively.

In case where the memory cell is arranged as shown in FIG. 13A, the inverter and the NAND gate of FIGS. 13B and 13C have the same arrangement as that of FIGS. 12B and 12C.

Referring to FIGS. 13D and 20, a drain region P5D of the PMOS transistor P5 is electrically connected to a node semiconductor plug 65 b which penetrates interlayer insulators 64 e and 61 e and the etching stopper layer 41 d, and an upper body pattern 65 a is arranged to cover the interlayer insulator 64 e and the node semiconductor plug 65 b.

Referring to FIGS. 14A, 17A and 17B, the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′, the upper node semiconductor plug 4 a′, the drain region PD1D of the pull-down transistor PD1, the drain region PU1D of the pull-up transistor PU1, the source region T1S of the transmission transistor T1, the gate electrode PD2G of the pull-down transistor PD2, and the gate electrode PU2G of the pull-up transistor PU2 are electrically connected through a node plug 8 a′. The lower node semiconductor plug 3 a″, the upper node semiconductor plug 4 a″, the drain region PD2D of the pull-down transistor PD2, the drain region PU2D of the pull-up transistor PU2, the source region T2S of the transmission transistor T2, the gate electrode PD1G of the pull-down transistor PD1, and the gate electrode PU1G of the pull-up transistor PU1 are electrically connected through a node plug 8 a″.

In case where the memory cell is arranged as shown in FIG. 14A, the inverter and the NAND gate of FIGS. 14B and 14C have the same arrangement as that of FIGS. 13B and 13C.

Referring to FIGS. 14D and 20, gate patterns 66 a′ and 66 a″ are arranged above the upper body pattern 65 a to overlap over the gate patterns 60 c′ and 60 c″. As shown in FIG. 20, gate electrodes N4G and N5G of the NMOS transistors N4 and N5 are arranged above the upper body pattern 65 a, and a drain region N5D of the NMOS transistor N5, source and drain regions N5S and N5D of the NMOS transistors N4 and N5, and a source region N4S of the NMOS transistor N4 are provided in the upper body pattern 65 a. A capping insulating layer 67 a′ is arranged above the gate electrode N5G, and a gate insulating layer 67 b′ is arranged below the gate electrode N5G. Likewise, a capping insulating layer 67 a″ is arranged above the gate electrode N4G, and a gate insulating layer 67 b″ is arranged below the gate electrode N4G. Spacers 67 c′ and 67 c″ are arranged on side walls of the gate patterns 66 a′ and 66 a″, and an interlayer insulator 67 e is arranged over the whole surface of the upper body pattern 65 a having the NMOS transistors N4 and N5. An etching stopper layer 67 d may be additionally interposed between the interlayer insulator 67 e and the upper body pattern 65 a having the NMOS transistors N4 and N5. Accordingly, the NMOS transistors N4 and N5 are stacked above the PMOS transistors P4 and P5, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 15A, 17A and 17B, an interlayer insulator 9 c is stacked on node plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″ and the interlayer insulator 7 e. The source region PU1S of the pull-up transistor PU1 is electrically connected to a power line contact plug 9 a′, and the source region PU2S of the pull-up transistor PU2 is electrically connected to a power line contact plug 9 a″. The source region PD1S of the pull-down transistor PD1 is electrically connected to a ground line contact plug 9 b′, and the source region PD2S of the pull-down transistor PD2 is electrically connected to a ground line contact plug 9 b″.

Referring to FIGS. 15B and 18, an interlayer insulator 26 is stacked on the interlayer insulator 24 e. The node semiconductor plug 22 b, the drain region N1D of the NMOS transistor N1, the drain region P1D of the PMOS transistor P1 are electrically connected to an output signal line contact plug 25 a, the source region P1S of the PMOS transistor P1 is electrically connected to a power line contact plug 25 b, and the source region N1S of the NMOS transistor N1 is electrically connected to a ground line contact plug 25 c. Even though not shown, the gate electrodes P1G and N1G of the PMOS transistor P1 and the NMOS transistor N1 are electrically connected to an input signal line contact plug 25 d.

Referring to FIGS. 15C and 19, an interlayer insulator 46 is stacked on the interlayer insulator 44 e. The node contact plug 42 b, the drain region N2D of the NMOS transistor N2, the drain region P2D of the PMOS transistor P2 are electrically connected to an output signal line contact plug 45 a, the source regions P2S and P3S of the PMOS transistors P2 and P3 are electrically connected to a power line contact plug 45 b, the drain region P3D of the PMOS transistor P3 is electrically connected to an output signal line contact plug 45 c, and the source region N3S of the NMOS transistor N3 is electrically connected to a ground line contact plug 45 d. The gate electrodes P2G and N2G of the PMOS transistor P2 and the NMOS transistor N2 are electrically connected to a first input signal line contact plug 25 e, and the gate electrodes P3G and N3G of the PMOS transistor P3 and the NMOS transistor N3 are electrically connected to a second input signal line contact plug 25 f.

Referring to FIGS. 15D and 20, an interlayer insulator 69 is stacked on the interlayer insulator 67 e. The node contact plug 65 b, the drain region P5D of the PMOS transistor P5, the drain region N5D of the NMOS transistor N5 are electrically connected to an output signal line contact plug 68 a, the source region N5S of the NMOS transistor N5 and the drain region N4D of the NMOS transistor N4 are electrically connected to a ground line contact plug 68 b, the source region N4S of the NMOS transistor N4 is electrically connected to an output signal line contact plug 68 c, and the source region P4S of the PMOS transistor P4 is electrically connected to a power line contact plug 68 d. The gate electrodes P5G and N5G of the PMOS transistor P5 and the NMOS transistor N5 are electrically connected to a first input signal line contact plug 68 c, and the gate electrodes P4G and N4G of the PMOS transistor P4 and the NMOS transistor N4 are electrically connected to a second input signal line contact plug 68 d.

Referring to FIGS. 16A, 17A and 17B, an interlayer insulator 11 is arranged on the interlayer insulator 9 c. The power line contact plug 9 a′ is covered with a power voltage line 10 b, and the ground line contact plug 9 b′ is covered with a ground voltage line 10 a. The power line contact plug 9 a″ is covered with a power voltage line 10 b, and the ground line contact plug 9 b″ is covered with a ground voltage line 10 a. An interlayer insulator 12 is arranged on the interlayer insulator 11, and the drain regions T1D and T2D of the transmission transistors T1 and T2 are electrically connected to bit line contact plugs 13 a′ and 13 a″, respectively. The bit line contact plugs 13 a′ and 13 a″ are covered with a bit line 14.

Referring to FIGS. 16B and 18, an interlayer insulator 28 is arranged on the interlayer insulator 26, the output signal line contact plug 25 a is covered with an output signal line 27 a, the ground line contact plug 25 b is covered with a ground voltage line 27 b, and the power line contact plug 25 c is covered with the power voltage line 27 c. The input signal line contact plug 25 d is covered with an input signal line 27 d.

Referring to FIGS. 16C and 19, an interlayer insulator 48 is arranged on the interlayer insulator 46, the output signal line contact plug 45 a is covered with an output signal line 47 a, the power line contact plug 45 b is covered with a power voltage line 47 b, the output signal line contact plug 45 c is covered with an output signal line 47 c, and the ground line contact plug 45 d is covered with the ground voltage line 47 d. The first input signal line contact plug 45 e is covered with a first input signal line 47 e, and the second input signal line contact plug 45 f is covered with a second input signal line 47 f.

Referring to FIGS. 16D and 20, an interlayer insulator 71 is arranged on the interlayer insulator 69, the output signal line contact plug 68 a is covered with an output signal line 70 a, the ground line contact plug 68 b is covered with a ground voltage line 70 b, the output signal line contact plug 68 c is covered with an output signal line 70 a, and the power line contact plug 68 d is covered with the power voltage line 70. The first input signal line contact plug 68 e is covered with a first input signal line 70 e, and the second input signal line contact plug 68 f is covered with a second input signal line 70 f.

The node contact plugs and the upper and lower body patterns may be single crystal silicon substrates. The upper and lower body patterns may be poly silicon substrates, and in such instance there is no node contact plugs.

In case where the bulk transistors are arranged on the first layer of the memory cell and the thin film transistors are arranged on the second and third layers like the memory cell described above, it is preferred that the thin film transistors to be arranged on the second and third layers of the peripheral circuit have the same type as the thin film transistors arranged on the second and third layers of the memory cell for the convenience of manufacturing process.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In case where the bulk NMOS transistor, the thin film PMOS transistor, the thin film NMOS transistor are respectively arranged on the first to third layers of the memory cell array as shown in FIG. 21A, it is preferred that the transistors having the types of FIG. 21B are arranged on the first to third layers of the peripheral circuit. That is, it is preferred that the bulk NMOS transistor or the bulk PMOS transistor may be arranged on the first layer and the thin film PMOS transistor and the thin film NMOS transistor having the same type as the thin film transistors arranged on the second and third layers of the memory cell are arranged on the second and third layers of the peripheral circuit.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In case where the bulk NMOS transistor, the thin film NMOS transistor, the thin film PMOS transistor are respectively arranged on the first to third layers of the memory cell array as shown in FIG. 22A, it is preferred that the transistors having the types of FIG. 22B are arranged on the first to third layers of the peripheral circuit. That is, it is preferred that the bulk NMOS transistor or the bulk PMOS transistor may be arranged on the first layer and the thin film NMOS transistor and the thin film PMOS transistor having the same type as the thin film transistors arranged on the second and third layers of the memory cell are arranged on the second and third layers of the peripheral circuit.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are views illustrating stacking structure of the memory cell array and the peripheral circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In case where the bulk PMOS transistor, the thin film NMOS transistor, the thin film NMOS transistor are respectively arranged on the first to third layers of the memory cell array as shown in FIG. 23A, it is preferred that the transistors having the types of FIG. 23B are arranged on the first to third layers of the peripheral circuit. That is, it is preferred that the bulk NMOS transistor or the bulk PMOS transistor is arranged on the first layer and the thin film NMOS transistor and the thin film NMOS transistor having the same type as the thin film transistors arranged on the second and third layers of the memory cell are arranged on the second and third layers of the peripheral circuit.

Of course, the transistors to be arranged on the second and third layers of the peripheral circuit may have the different type from the transistors to be arranged on the second and third layers of the memory cell array. But, this makes the manufacturing process complicated.

The layout area size of the peripheral circuit as well as the layout area size of the memory cell can be reduced.

In the embodiments described above, stacking the transistors which constitute the inverter, the NAND gate, and the NOR gate are described. But, it is also possible to stack the transistors which constitute different logic circuits such as an AND gate and an OR gate.

The peripheral circuit of the present invention can be arranged such that only transistors which constitute some function blocks such as a row or column decoder other than all function blocks are stacked or only transistors which constitute a driver (which is comprised of an inverter in general) at an output terminal of a row and/or column decoder are stacked.

The above described arrangement method of the inverter, the NAND gate and the NOR gate which constitute the peripheral circuit can be usefully applied to different semiconductor devices.

If the transistors which form the peripheral circuit as well as the transistors which form the memory cell array are stacked the way described above, the layout area size of the peripheral circuit can be reduced, and thus the effect of the layout area size of the semiconductor memory device can be increased.

However, unlike the above described embodiments, the transistors which form the peripheral circuit may be arranged on a single layer even though the transistors of the memory cell array are stacked. In this case, it is possible to arrange high performance transistors even though it is difficult to reduce the layout area size of a region where the peripheral circuit is arranged.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views respectively illustrating arrangement of transistors of a static memory cell and transistors which constitute an inverter of a peripheral circuit of a semiconductor memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The static memory cell is arrange the same way as that of FIG. 8A, and the inverter is arranged such that a PMOS transistor P1 and an NMOS transistor N1 are arranged on the same layer like FIG. 5B but are arranged on the third layer 3F other than 1F. Here, the first and second layers serve as dummy layers and do not have any transistors formed thereon.

A method of forming the transistors of the peripheral circuit is explained below by describing a structure of the inverter of the peripheral circuit of the inventive semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof.

FIG. 25 is a plan view illustrating the inverter of the peripheral circuit of FIG. 24B, and FIGS. 26A and 26B to FIGS. 34A and 34B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for manufacturing the memory cell and the inverter. In FIGS. 26A and 26B to FIGS. 34A and 34B, references “C” and “P” denote a memory cell array region and a peripheral circuit region, respectively. The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 26A to 34 a are taken along lines I-I′ of FIG. 10A to FIG. 16A and III-III′ of FIG. 25, and the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 26B to 34B are taken along lines II-II′ of FIG. 16A and IV-IV′ of FIG. 25.

A semiconductor memory substrate 100 includes a cell region C and a peripheral circuit region P. The structure and arrangement of the cell region C can be understood easily with the above description, and thus a structure and arrangement of the peripheral circuit region P is explained below.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 26A and 26B, when an interlayer insulator 2 e is arranged above the cell region C, the interlayer insulator 2 e is arranged above a portion of the semiconductor substrate SUB corresponding to the peripheral circuit region P. When an etching stopper layer 2 d is arranged above the cell region C, the etching stopper layer 2 d may be arranged above the peripheral circuit region P. The etching stopper layer 2 d preferably has etching selectivity to the interlayer insulator 2 e. For example, in case where the interlayer insulator 2 e is formed of a silicon oxide layer, the etching stopper layer 2 d may be formed of a silicon nitride layer or a silicon oxynitride layer.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 27A and 27B, when lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ are arranged above the cell region C, the etching stopper layer 2 d and the interlayer insulator 2 e arranged above the peripheral circuit region P are removed, and a peripheral lower body pattern 3 p is arranged to cover the semiconductor substrate SUB above the peripheral circuit region P. In this case, the etching stopper layer 2 d and the interlayer insulator 2 e which remain in the cell region C may be respectively regarded as the etching stopper layer pattern and the interlayer insulator pattern. The peripheral lower body pattern 3 p may be arranged such that its surface is located on the same imaginary horizontal line as surfaces of the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ above the cell region C. The peripheral lower body pattern 3 p may have a single crystal semiconductor structure. For example, in case where the semiconductor substrate SUB has a single crystal silicon structure, the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p may have a single crystal silicon structure.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 28A and 28B, when an etching stopper 5 d and an interlayer insulator 5 e which cover first and second load transistors TL1 and TL2 are arranged above the cell region C, the etching stopper 5 d and the interlayer insulator 5 e are arranged above the peripheral circuit region P. The etching stopper layer 5 d preferably has etching selectivity to the interlayer insulator 5 e. For example, in case where the interlayer insulator 5 e is formed of a silicon oxide layer, the etching stopper layer 5 d may be formed of a silicon nitride layer or a silicon oxynitride layer.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 29A and 29B, upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ are arranged above the cell region C, the etching stopper layer 5 d and the interlayer insulator 5 e arranged above the peripheral circuit region P are removed, and a peripheral upper body pattern 6 p covering the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p is arranged above the peripheral circuit region P. The peripheral upper body pattern 6 p may be arranged such that its surface is located on the same imaginary horizontal line as surfaces of the upper body patterns 6 b′ and 6 b″ above the cell region C. The peripheral upper body pattern 6 p may have a single crystal semiconductor structure which is the same crystal structure as the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p. For example, in case where the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p has a single crystal silicon structure, the peripheral upper body pattern 6 p may have a single crystal semiconductor structure such as a single crystal silicon structure. The peripheral upper and lower body patterns 6 p and 3 p form a peripheral body pattern 6 p′.

The peripheral upper and lower body patterns 6 p and 3 p may have a single crystal semiconductor structure such as a single crystal silicon structure formed by a single process. An element isolating insulator 7 e′ is arranged on the peripheral upper body pattern 6 p above the peripheral circuit region P.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 30A and 30B, when a word line pattern 6 b of NMOS transistors T1 and T2 is arranged above the cell region C, a gate pattern 23 a′ of a PMOS transistor P1 which crosses a first peripheral active area 1 p of the peripheral circuit region P is arranged. The gate pattern 23 a′ of the PMOS transistor P1 may include a poly silicon layer pattern P1G and a PMOS gate metal silicide layer 24 a′ which are sequentially stacked. A gate pattern 20 c″ of an NMOS transistor N1 which crosses a second peripheral active area 1 p′ is arranged. The gate pattern 20 c″ of the NMOS transistor N1 may include a poly silicon layer pattern N1G and an NMOS gate metal silicide layer 21 a′ which are sequentially stacked. The gate metal silicide layers 21 a′ and 24 a′ may be formed of a nickel silicide layer, a cobalt silicide layer, a titanium silicide layer or a tungsten silicide layer. The NMOS transistors T1 and T2 above the cell region C may also include a metal silicide layer 7 d′. On surfaces of the first peripheral active area 1 p located on both sides of the PMOS gate pattern 23 a′, a drain region P1D and a source region P1S of the PMOS transistor P1 are arranged. The PMOS gate pattern 23 a′ forms the PMOS transistor P1 together with the source and drain regions P1S and P1D. Similarly, on surfaces of the second peripheral active area 1 p′ located on both sides of the NMOS gate pattern 20 c″, a drain region N1D and a source region N1S of the NMOS transistor NP1 are arranged. The NMOS gate pattern 20 c″ forms the NMOS transistor N1 together with the source and drain regions N1S and N1D. On surfaces of the source and drain regions P1S and P1D of the PMOS transistor P1 and surfaces of the source and drain regions N1S and N1D of the NMOS transistor N1, metal silicide layers 7 d′ are respectively arranged. The metal silicide layers 7 d′ may be formed of a nickel silicide layer, a cobalt silicide layer, a titanium silicide layer or a tungsten silicide layer. An interlayer insulator 7 e is arranged on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate having the NMOS transistor N1 and the PMOS transistor P1. In addition, an etching stopper layer 7 d may be interposed between the semiconductor substrate SUB and the interlayer insulator 7 e. The etching stopper layer 7 d preferably has etching selectivity to the interlayer insulator 7 e. For example, in case where the interlayer insulator 7 e is formed of a silicon oxide layer, the etching stopper layer 7 d may be formed of a silicon nitride layer or a silicon oxynitride layer.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 31A and 31B, an interlayer insulator 9 c is arranged on the interlayer insulator 7 e above the peripheral circuit region P like the cell region C.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 32A and 32B, a peripheral power line contact plug 9 e, a peripheral ground line contact plug 9 f′, and output signal line contact plugs 9 f and 9 e′ may be arranged in the interlayer insulator 9 c above the peripheral circuit region P.

An interlayer insulator 11 which covers the peripheral power line contact plug 9 e, the peripheral ground line contact plug 9 f′, and the output signal line contact plugs 9 f and 9 e′ is arranged.

Referring to FIG. 25 and FIGS. 33A and 33B, in the interlayer insulator 11 above the peripheral circuit region P, a peripheral power line 10 e is arranged to cover the peripheral power line contact plug 9 e, a peripheral ground line 10 f is arranged to cover the peripheral ground line contact plug 9 f′, and an output signal line 10 g is arranged to cover the output signal line contact plugs 9 f and 9 e′.

An interlayer insulator 12 is arranged to cover the peripheral power line 10 e, the peripheral ground line 10 f, and the output signal line 10 g.

In the above described way, the transistors P1 and N1 which form the inverter are arranged on the third layer of the peripheral circuit region P. Of course, transistors which form an NAND gate and a NOR gate may be also arranged on the third layer of the peripheral circuit region P.

A method for manufacturing an SRAM according to the present invention is explained below with reference to FIG. 16, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 26A and 26B to FIGS. 34A and 34B.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 26A and 26B, a semiconductor substrate SUB having a cell region C and a peripheral circuit region P is prepared. The semiconductor substrate SUB may be a single crystal silicon substrate. The semiconductor substrate SUB may be a p-type silicon substrate. An element isolating layer 1′ is formed on a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate SUB to define first and second cell active areas 1 b′ and 1 b″. The element isolating layer 1′ is preferably formed in the cell region C. The first and second active areas 1 b′ and 1 b″ are formed parallel to a y axis. In addition, the element isolating layer 1′ is formed to provide a first ground active area 1 a′ which extends along an x axis from one end of the first active area 1 b′ and a fourth active area 1 a″ which extends along an x axis from one end of the second active area 1 b″. The second and fourth active areas 1 a′ and 1 a″ are formed to face each other.

Gate insulating layers 2 b′ and 2 b″ are formed on the first to fourth active areas 1 a′, 1 b′, 1 a″, and 1 b″. A gate conductive layer and a capping insulating layer are sequentially formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the gate insulating layers 2 b′ and 2 b″. The gate conductive layer may be formed of a silicon layer, and the capping insulating layer may be formed of a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer. The gate capping insulating layer and the gate conductive layer are patterned to form a gate pattern 1 c′ which crosses the first active area 1 b′ and a gate pattern 1 c″ which crosses the third active area 1 b″. As a result, the gate pattern 1 c′ is formed to have a gate electrode PD1G and a capping insulating layer 2 a′ which are sequentially stacked, and a gate pattern 1 c″ is formed to have a gate electrode PD2G and a capping insulating layer 2 a″ which are sequentially stacked. A process for forming the capping insulating layer may be omitted. In this case, the gate pattern 1 c′ has only the gate electrode, and the gate pattern 1 c″ has only the gate electrode.

Impurity ions are doped into the first to fourth active areas 1 a′, 1 b′, 1 b″, and 1 a″ by using the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″ as an ion doping mask. As a result, a source region PD1S and a drain region PD1D which are separated from each other are formed in the first active area 1 b′, and a source region PD2S and a drain region PD2D which are separated from each other are formed in the third active area 1 b″. The source regions PD1S and PD2S and the drain regions PD1D and PD2D may be n-type ion-doped regions. The source region PD1S and the drain region PD1D are formed on both sides of a channel area below the driving gate pattern 1 c′, and the source region PD2S and the drain region PD2D are formed on both sides of a channel area below the driving gate pattern 1 c″. The source region PD2S is also formed in the second active area 1 a′, and the source region PD2S is also formed in the fourth active area 1 a″. The source regions PD1S and PD2S and the drain regions PD1D and PD2D may be formed to have a lightly doped drain (LDD) type structure. Gate spacers 2 c are formed on sidewalls of the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″. The gate spacers 2 c may be formed of a silicon nitride layer or a silicon oxide layer.

The first driving gate pattern 1 c′, the source region PD1S and the drain region PD1D form the first bulk transistor, i.e., the first NMOS transistor PD1, and the second driving gate pattern 1 c″, the source region PD2S and the drain region PD2D form the second bulk transistor, i.e., the second NMOS transistor PD2.

An etching stopper layer 2 d and an interlayer insulator 2 e are sequentially formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the first and second transistors PD1 and PD2. The interlayer insulator 2 e is preferably planarized by using a chemical mechanical polishing technique. In this case, the etching stopper layer 2 d on the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″ may serve as a chemical mechanical polishing stopper.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25 and FIGS. 27A and 27B, the interlayer insulator 2 e and the etching stopper layer 2 d are patterned to expose predetermined regions of the drain regions PD1D and PD2D of the cell region C and expose the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region P. As a result, the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ which sequentially penetrate the interlayer insulator layer 2 e and the etching stopper layer 2 d to expose the predetermined regions of the drain regions PD1D and PD2D of the cell region C may be formed in the cell region C. In this case, the interlayer insulator layer 2 e and the etching stopper layer 2 d may be respectively regarded as the interlayer insulator layer pattern and the etching stopper layer pattern. A semiconductor layer 3 p is formed to cover the interlayer insulator 2 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P while filling the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″. The semiconductor layer 3 p may be formed of a single crystal semiconductor structure. The single crystal semiconductor structure may be formed by an epitaxial technique. In more detail, a single crystal semiconductor structure, i.e., an epitaxial layer which covers the interlayer insulator 2 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB above the peripheral circuit region P while filling the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ is formed. The epitaxial technique may be a selective epitaxial growth technique. The epitaxial layer may be formed by a selective epitaxial growth technique which uses as a seed layer a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate SUB exposed by the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. In case where the semiconductor substrate SUB is a single crystal silicon substrate, the epitaxial layer may be formed to have a single crystal silicon structure. That is, the epitaxial layer may be formed of a single crystal semiconductor structure. Then, an upper surface of the epitaxial layer may be planarized by using a planarization technique such as a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technique.

Meanwhile, a semiconductor layer which fills the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ and covers the interlayer insulator 2 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P may be formed of a non-single crystal semiconductor layer. For example, the semiconductor layer may be formed of an amorphous silicon layer or a poly silicon layer. The semiconductor layer may be planarized. In this case, before or after planarizing the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer may be crystallized using an epitaxial technique, i.e., solid phase epitaxial technique which employs as a seed layer the semiconductor substrate which contacts the semiconductor layer. As a result, the semiconductor layer can be formed as a single crystal semiconductor structure.

The single crystal semiconductor structure is patterned to form lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ above the cell region while forming a peripheral lower body pattern 3 p which covers the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. The lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ are preferably formed to overlap the first and third active areas 1 b′ and 1 b″, respectively. The lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ are formed to cover the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″, respectively.

Preferably, the lower body pattern 3 b′ has an extension portion which overlaps a portion of the second active area 1 a′. Similarly, it is preferred that the cell lower body pattern 3 b″ has an extension portion which overlaps a portion of the fourth active area 1 a″.

Meanwhile, a single crystal semiconductor layer is formed to fill the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ and cover the interlayer insulator 2 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. The single crystal semiconductor is subjected to the chemical mechanical polishing process to form the lower node contact plugs 3 a′ and 3 a″ in the lower node contact holes 2 f′ and 2 f″ and form a peripheral single crystal semiconductor layer which covers the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. The single crystal semiconductor layer may be formed by an epitaxial technology. Subsequently, a semiconductor layer, i.e., a lower body layer is formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the lower node contact plugs 3 a′ and 3 a″. In case where the lower node semiconductor plugs 3 a′ and 3 a″ are single crystal silicon plugs, the lower body layer may be formed of a non-single crystal semiconductor layer, i.e., an amorphous silicon layer or a polysilicon layer. The lower body layer may be crystallized using a solid phase epitaxial (SPE) technique which is well known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the solid phase epitaxial technique may include a process for heat-treating and crystallizing the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 800° C.

Meanwhile, the single crystal semiconductor structure is patterned to form the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ while removing the single crystal semiconductor structure of the peripheral circuit region P to expose the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 28A and 28B, a gate insulating layer is formed on surfaces of the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″. Load gate patterns 4 b′ and 4 b″ are formed to cross over the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″. The gate patterns 4 b′ and 4 b″ are preferably formed to overlap the gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″, respectively. The gate patterns 4 b′ and 4 b″ may be formed the same way as the driving gate patterns 1 c′ and 1 c″. Thus, the gate pattern 4 b′ may be formed to have a gate electrode PU1G and a capping insulating layer 5 a′ which are sequentially stacked, and the gate pattern 4 b″ may be formed to have a gate electrode PU2G and a capping insulating layer 5 a which are sequentially stacked.

Impurity ions are doped into the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ using the gate patterns 4 b′ and 4 b″ as an ion doping make. As a result, source and drain regions PU1S and PU1D which are separated from each other are formed in the lower body pattern 3 b′, and source and drain regions PU2S and PU2D which are separated from each other are formed in the lower body pattern 3 b″. The source and drain regions PU1S and PU1D are formed on both sides of a channel area below the gate pattern 4 b′, and the source and drain regions PU2S and PU2D are formed on both sides of a channel area below the gate pattern 4 b″. The source regions PU1S and PU2S are formed in the extension portion of the lower body pattern 3 b′ and in the extension portion of the lower body pattern 3 b″, respectively. The source region PU1S is formed in the lower body pattern 3 b′ above the lower node contact plug 3 a′, and the drain region PU2D is formed in the lower body pattern 3 b″ above the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a″. Here, the drain region PU1D may contact the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′, and the drain region PU2D may contact the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a″.

The source regions PU1S and PU2S and the drain regions PU1D and PU2D may be p-type ion-doped regions.

The source region PU1S and PU2S and the drain regions PU1D and PU2D may be formed to have an LDD-type structure.

Spacers 5 c may be formed on sidewalls of the load gate patterns 4 b′ and 4 b″. The spacers 5 c may be formed of a silicon nitride layer or a silicon oxide layer.

The gate pattern 4 b′, the source region PU1S and the drain region PU1D form a lower thin film transistor, i.e., a PMOS transistor PU1, and the gate pattern 4 b″, the source region PU2S and the drain region PU2D form a lower thin film transistor, i.e., a PMOS transistor PU2. The PMOS transistors PU1 and PU2 may be load transistors. An interlayer insulator 5 e is formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate having the load transistors PU1 and PU2. Before forming the interlayer insulator 5 e, an etching stopper layer 5 d may be additionally formed. The etching stopper layer 5 d and the interlayer insulator 5 e may be formed the same method as the etching stopper layer 3 d and the interlayer insulator 3 e. In this case, the interlayer insulator 5 e and the etching stopper layer 5 d may be respectively regarded as the interlayer insulator pattern and the etching stopper layer pattern.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 29A and 29B, the etching stopper layer 5 d and the interlayer insulator 5 e are patterned to expose the source and drain regions PU1S and PU2D and expose the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p of the peripheral circuit region P. As a result, the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ which sequentially penetrate the interlayer insulator 5 e and the etching stopper layer 5 d to expose the source and drain regions PU1S and PU2D may be formed in the cell region C. A semiconductor layer is formed to fill the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ on the interlayer insulator 5 e and the peripheral circuit region P. The semiconductor layer may be formed of a single crystal semiconductor structure. The single crystal semiconductor structure may be formed by an epitaxial technique. The epitaxial technique may be a selective epitaxial technique. In more detail, a single crystal semiconductor structure, i.e., an epitaxial layer which covers the interlayer insulator 5 e and the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p and fills the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ is formed. The epitaxial layer may be formed to have a single crystal silicon structure. The epitaxial layer may be formed by a selective epitaxial growth technique which uses as a seed layer a predetermined region of the cell lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ exposed by the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ and the peripheral body pattern 3 p.

As described in FIGS. 27A and 27B, in case where the single crystal semiconductor structure is patterned to form the cell lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ while removing the single crystal semiconductor structure of the peripheral circuit region P to expose the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P, the single crystal semiconductor structure, i.e., the epitaxial layer may be formed by a selective epitaxial growth technique which uses as a seed layer predetermined regions of the cell lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″ exposed by the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. Then, an upper surface of the epitaxial layer may be planarized by using a planarization technique such as a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technique.

Meanwhile, a semiconductor layer which fills the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ may be formed of a non-single crystal semiconductor layer on the interlayer insulator 5 e and the peripheral circuit region P. For example, the semiconductor layer may be formed of an amorphous silicon layer or a poly silicon layer. The semiconductor layer may be planarized. In this case, before or after planarizing the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer may be crystallized using an epitaxial technique, i.e., solid phase epitaxial technique which employs as a seed layer the single crystal semiconductor structures which are arranged below the semiconductor layer and contact the semiconductor layer. As a result, the semiconductor layer can be formed as a single crystal semiconductor structure.

The single semiconductor structure is patterned to form upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ above the cell region C and form a peripheral upper body pattern 6 p above the peripheral circuit region P. Here, the peripheral upper body pattern 6 p is formed to have a peripheral trench 6 b which defines first and second peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′. As a result, the peripheral upper body pattern 6 p having the peripheral trench 6 b is formed on the peripheral lower body pattern 3 p of the peripheral circuit region P. The peripheral lower and upper body patterns 3 p and 6 p have the substantially same single crystal structure and may form a peripheral body pattern 6 p′.

Meanwhile, in case of performing a process for patterning the previously formed single crystal semiconductor structure to expose the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P, the sequentially formed single crystal semiconductor structure may be formed to directly contact the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. As a result, the peripheral body pattern 6 p′ may be formed of a single crystal semiconductor structure formed by a single process, i.e., a single crystal silicon structure. The upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ are formed to cover the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″, respectively. The epitaxial layers formed in the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ may be defined as the upper node semiconductor plugs 4 a′ and 4 a″. The upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ are preferably formed to respectively overlap the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″. However, it is preferred that the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ do not overlap the extension portions of the lower body patterns 3 b′ and 3 b″.

Meanwhile, a single crystal semiconductor layer which fills the upper node contact holes 4 f′ and 4 f″ may be formed on the interlayer insulator 5 e and the semiconductor substrate SUB of the peripheral circuit region P. Subsequently, the single crystal semiconductor layer is planarized to form the first and second upper node contact plugs 4 a′ and 4 a″ and form a single crystal semiconductor layer which remains above the peripheral circuit region P. The single crystal semiconductor layer may be a single crystal silicon structure formed by the epitaxial technique. Then, a semiconductor layer, i.e., an upper body layer may be formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB having the upper node semiconductor plugs 4 a′ and 4 a″. In case where the upper node semiconductor plugs 4 a′ and 4 a″ are single crystal silicon plugs, the upper body layer may be formed of an amorphous silicon layer or a poly silicon layer. The upper body layer is patterned to form the first and second body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″, and the upper body layer above the peripheral circuit region P is patterned to form a peripheral trench 6 b which defines the first and second peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′. The first and second upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ may be crystallized by a solid phase epitaxial technique which is well known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The element isolating insulating layer 7 e′ may be formed in the peripheral trench 6 b. Here, when the element isolating insulating layer 7 e′ may be formed in the peripheral trench 6 b, the element isolating insulating layer 7 e′ which fills a space between the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ above the cell region C may be formed.

Meanwhile, the process for forming the element isolating insulating layer in the peripheral trench 6 b may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 30A and 30B, a gate insulating layer is formed on the cell upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ and the peripheral body pattern 6 p. A transmission gate pattern 6 b, i.e., a word line insulated to cross over the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ is formed, and a peripheral PMOS gate pattern 23 a′ and a peripheral NMOS gate pattern 20 c″ which are insulated to cross over the first and second peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′ of the peripheral body pattern P are formed.

Meanwhile, before forming the peripheral gate patterns 23 a′ and 20 c″, impurity ions may be doped into the first and second peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′ to form an n-type well 7 f and a p-type well 7 f′. In case where the peripheral body pattern 6 p′ is formed to have an n-type or p-type conductivity, a separate ion doping process for forming the n-type or p-type well may be omitted.

Impurity ions are doped into the upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ using the word line 6 p as an ion doping mask. Further, impurity ions are doped into the first and second peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′ using the peripheral gate patterns 23 a′ and 20 c″ of the peripheral circuit region P and the element isolating insulating layer 7 e as an ion doping mask. As a result, source and drain regions T1S and T1D which are separated from each other are formed in the upper body pattern 6 a′, source and drain regions T2S and T2D which are separated from each other are formed in the upper body pattern 6 a″, source and drain regions P1S and P1D which are separated from each other are formed in the peripheral active area 1 p, and source and drain regions N1S and N1D which are separated from each other are formed in the peripheral active area 1 p′. In case where the source and drain regions T1S and T1D, T2S and T2D, P1S and P1D, and N1S and N1D have an LDD-type structure, an insulating spacer 7 c may be formed on sidewalls of the word line 6 b and sidewalls of the peripheral gate patterns 23 a′ and 20 c″.

The source regions T1S and T2S and the drain regions T1D and T2D of the cell region C may be n-type ion-doped regions. The source and drain regions P1S and P1D of the peripheral active area 1 p may be p-type ion-doped regions, and the source and drain regions N1S and N1D of the peripheral active area 1 p′ may be n-type ion-doped regions. The word line 6 b and the source and drain regions T1S and T1D constitute a cell upper thin film transistor, i.e., an NMOS transmission transistor T1, and the word line 6 b and the source and drain regions T2S and T2D constitute a cell upper thin film transistor, i.e., an NMOS transmission transistor T2. The peripheral PMOS gate pattern 23 a″ and the source and drain regions P1S and P1D constitute a peripheral PMOS transistor P1, and the peripheral NMOS gate pattern 20 c″ and the source and drain regions N1S and N1D constitute a peripheral NMOS transistor N1.

A metal silicide layer may be selectively formed on surfaces of the gate electrodes and/or the source and drain regions of the peripheral transistors P1 and N1. For example, a silicide process for lowering electrical resistance of the gate electrodes and the source and drain regions of the NMOS transmission transistor T1, the NMOS transmission transistor T2, the peripheral PMOS transistor P1, the peripheral NMOS transmission transistor N1. The silicide process is a process technology for selectively forming the metal silicide layer on the gate electrode and the source and drain regions to lower the electrical resistance of the gate electrode and the source and drain regions. The silicide process includes a silicidation annealing process. As the silicidation annealing process, either a rapid thermal process which employs a radiation method using a light source such as a lamp or a conduction method using a hot plate or an annealing process of a convection method using a heat transfer gas.

In more detail, after forming the gate insulting layer on the cell upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ and the peripheral body pattern 6 p, a silicon layer such as a poly silicon layer is formed on the substrate having the gate insulating layer. The poly silicon layer is patterned to form a poly silicon layer pattern which crosses over the cell upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ and form poly silicon layer patterns P1G and N1G which cross over the peripheral active areas 1 p and 1 p′ of the peripheral body pattern 6 p. An insulating spacer 7 c is formed on sidewalls of the poly silicon layer patterns T1G, T2G, P1G, and N1G. The insulating spacer 7 c may include a silicon oxide layer or a silicon nitride layer. Subsequently, the source and drain regions T1S and T1D, T2S and T2D, P1S and P1D, and N1S and N1D are formed. The poly silicon layer patterns T1G, T2G, P1G, and N1G and the source and drain regions T1S and T1D, T2S and T2D, P1S and P1D, and N1S and N1D may be exposed. Subsequently, a metal layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the poly silicon layer patterns T1G, T2G, P1G, and N1G and the source and drain regions T1S and T1D, T2S and T2D, P1S and P1D, and N1S and N1D. The metal layer may be formed of a nickel layer, a tungsten layer, a titanium layer, or a cobalt layer. Then, the metal layer may be subjected to the silicidation annealing process.

On the other hand, after forming the gate insulating layer on the cell upper body patterns 6 a′ and 6 a″ and the peripheral body pattern 6 p, a gate conductive layer containing a metal silicide layer, for example, a poly silicon layer and a metal silicide layer which are sequentially stacked may be formed on the semiconductor substrate having the gate insulating layer. Next, a hard mask insulating layer may be formed on the gate conductive layer. The hard mask insulating layer and the gate conductive layer may be patterned to form a poly silicon layer pattern, a metal silicide layer pattern and a hard mask pattern which are sequentially stacked. As a result, the poly silicon layer pattern, the metal silicide layer pattern and the hard mask pattern which are sequentially stacked may be formed as a gate pattern, and the source and drain regions may be exposed. A metal layer may be formed on the semiconductor substrate having the gate pattern and then may be subjected to the silicidation annealing process. As a result, metal silicide layers may be formed in the source an drain region.

Using the silicide process, a gate metal silicide layer 7 a, a PMOS gate metal silicide layer 24 a′ and the NMOS gate metal silicide layer 21 a′ may be respectively formed on the word line 6 p, the peripheral PMOS gate pattern 23 a′ and the peripheral NMOS gate pattern 20 c″, the metal silicide layers may be formed on respective surfaces of the source and drain regions T1S and T1D and T2S and T2D of the word line 6 b, the metal silicide layers 7 d′ may be formed on respective surfaces of the source and drain regions P1S and P1D of the peripheral PMOS gate pattern 24 a′, the metal silicide layers 7 d′ may be formed on the respective surfaces of the source and drain regions N1S and N1D of the peripheral NMOS gate pattern 20 c″. As a result, the word line 6 p may be formed to have the poly silicon layer patterns T1G and T2G and the gate metal silicide layer 7 a which are sequentially stacked. The peripheral PMOS gate pattern 23 a′ may be formed to have the poly silicon layer pattern P1G and the PMOS gate metal silicide layer 24 a′ which are sequentially stacked. The peripheral NMOS gate pattern 20 c″ may be formed to have the poly silicon layer pattern N1G and the NMOS gate metal silicide layer 24 a′ which are sequentially stacked. Accordingly, it is possible to lower the electrical resistance of the gate electrode and the source and drain regions of the peripheral transistors P1 and N1. That is, transmission rate of the electrical signal applied to the gate electrodes of the peripheral transistors P1 and N1 can be improved. Further, since the sheet resistance of the source and drain regions of the peripheral transistors P1 and N1 can be improved, drivability of the peripheral transistors P1 and N1 can be improved. As a result, it is possible to implement the high performance MOS transistors in the peripheral circuit region P. Furthermore, since the electrical characteristics of the gate electrode and the source and drain regions of the transmission transistors T1 and T2 of the cell region C can be improved, performance of the transmission transistors T1 and T2 can be improved.

Thus, since the silicide process for improving the performance of the transistors of the peripheral circuit region P can be performed, performance of the SRAM can be improved. Further, in the semiconductor integrated circuits which employ the thin film transistors, the high performance MOS transistors having improved electrical characteristics can be obtained since the MOS transistors of the peripheral circuit region are formed after the peripheral body pattern is formed, as described above. The performance of the SRAM depends on the peripheral circuits formed in the peripheral circuit region, and thus the performance of the SRAM is determined by the performance of the transistors which are necessary components of the peripheral circuits. In the embodiments of the present invention, since the peripheral body pattern 6 p is formed by using the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region as the seed layer, the peripheral body pattern 6 p may be closer in crystallinity to the semiconductor substrate. That is, since the epitaxial layer is formed from the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region, the single crystal structure of the peripheral body pattern may be closer to the single crystal structure of the semiconductor substrate. The peripheral transistors formed in the peripheral circuit region P may have similar characteristics to the bulk transistors substantially formed on the semiconductor substrate. Further, the peripheral transistors formed in the peripheral circuit region P are not affected by heat which may be generated during a process for forming the thin film transistors of the cell region C. That is, the epitaxial process and the spacer process for manufacture the thin film transistors of the cell region C can be performed at a typical high temperature. Characteristics of the transistors exposed to the processes performed at the high temperature may be degraded, but the transistors of the peripheral circuit region P are not affected by the high temperature processes. Furthermore, since the metal silicide layers can be respectively formed on the gate electrode and the source and drain regions of the transistors of the peripheral circuit region P, the performance of the transistors of the peripheral circuit region P can be more improved. Thus, reliability of the semiconductor device can be more improved.

The interlayer insulator 7 e is formed on the whole surface of the semiconductor substrate having the NMOS transistors T1 and T2, the PMOS transistor P1, and the NMOS transistor N1. The etching stopper layer 7 d may be additionally formed before forming the interlayer insulating layer 7 e.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 31A and 31B, the interlayer insulators 2 e, 5 e and 7 e and the etching stopper layers 2 d, 5 d and 7 d are etched to form a node contact hole 7 f′ which exposes the source region T1S of the NMOS transistor T1, the upper node semiconductor plug 4 a′, the drain region PU1D of the transistor PU1, the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′, the gate electrode PU2G, and the gate electrode PD2G and to form a node contact hole 7 f″ which exposes the source region T2S of the NMOS transistor T2, the upper node semiconductor plug 4 a″, the drain region PU2D of the transistor PU2, the lower node semiconductor plug 3 a′″ the gate electrode PU1G, and the gate electrode PD1G.

Meanwhile, in case where the lower node semiconductor plugs 3 a′ and 3 a″ have the different conductive type from the drain regions PD1D and PD2D or are intrinsic semiconductors, the node contact holes 7 f′ and 7 f″ may be formed to expose the drain regions PD1D and PD2D of the MOS transistors PD1 and PD2, respectively.

A conductive layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the node contact holes 7 f′ and 7 f″. The conductive layer is planarized to expose the interlayer insulator 7 e. As a result, the node contact plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″ are formed. The node contact plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″ are preferably formed of a conductive layer which shows ohmic contact characteristics to both p- and n-type semiconductors. For example, the conductive layer may be formed of a metal layer such as a tungsten layer. Further, the conductive layer may be formed by sequentially stacking a barrier metal layer such as a titanium nitride layer and a metal layer such as a tungsten layer. In this case, each of the node contact plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″ may be formed to have a tungsten plug and a barrier metal layer pattern which surrounds the tungsten plug.

The interlayer insulator 9 c is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the node contact plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 32A and 32B, the ground line contact plugs 9 b′ and 9 b″ which penetrate the interlayer insulators 2 e, 5 e, 7 e, and 9 c and the etching stoppers 2 d, 5 d and 7 d to respectively contact the source region PD1S in the second active area 1 a′ and the source region PD2S of the fourth active area 1 a″ are formed. While forming the ground line contact plugs 9 b′ and 9 b″, the power line contact plugs 9 a′ and 9 a″ are formed which respectively contact the extension portion of the lower body pattern 3 b′ (source region PU1S of the load transistor) and the extension portion of the lower body pattern 3 b″ (source region PU2S of the load transistor). Further, while forming the ground line contact plugs 9 b′ and 9 b″, the output signal line contact plug 9 e and the peripheral power line contact plug 9 f which respectively contact the source and drain regions P1S and P1D of the PMOS transistor P1, and the output signal line contact plug 9 e′ and the peripheral power line contact plug 9 f′ which respectively contact the source and drain regions N1S and N1D of the NMOS transistor N1. The contact plugs 9 a′, 9 a″, 9 b′, 9 b″, 9 f, 9 e, 9 f′, and 9 e′ are preferably formed of a conductive layer which shows the ohmic contact characteristics to both p- and n-type semiconductors. For example, the contact plugs 9 a′, 9 a″, 9 b′, 9 b″, 9 f, 9 e, 9 f′, and 9 e′ may be formed the same way as the method of forming the node contact plugs 8 a′ and 8 a″ which is described with reference to FIGS. 31A and 31B.

The interlayer insulator 11 is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the contact plugs 9 a′, 9 a″, 9 b′, 9 b″, 9 f, 9 e, 9 f′, and 9 e′.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 33A and 33B, the cell ground line 10 a and the cell power line 10 b are formed in the interlayer insulator 11. While forming the cell ground line 10 a and the cell power line 10 b, the peripheral power line 10 e, the peripheral ground line 10 f and the output signal line 10 g may be formed in the interlayer insulator 11 of the peripheral circuit region P.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the inverter is depicted in the drawings as an example of the peripheral circuit, but the peripheral circuit is not limited to this. That is, the MOS transistors of the peripheral circuit region P can be used as components of the various peripheral circuits. That is, the peripheral power line 10 e, the peripheral ground line 10 f and the output signal line 10 g are to implement the inverter as an example of the peripheral circuit, and the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor of the peripheral circuit region P can constitute various peripheral circuits.

The cell ground line 10 a and the cell power line 10 b may be formed to be substantially parallel to the word line 6 b. The cell ground line 10 is formed to cover the ground line contact plugs 9 b′ and 9 b″, and the cell power line 10 b is formed to cover the power line contact plugs 9 a′ and 9 a″. The output signal line 10 g is formed to cover the output signal line contact plugs 9 e′ and 9 f. The peripheral ground line 10 f is formed to cover the peripheral ground line contact plug 9 f′. While forming the output signal line 10 g, the input signal line 10 h which is electrically connected to the peripheral PMOS gate electrode 23 a′ and the peripheral NMOS gate electrode 20 c″ may be formed. The input signal line 10 h may be electrically connected to the peripheral PMOS gate electrode 23 a′ and the peripheral NMOS gate electrode 20 c″ by the input signal line contact plug. The interlayer insulator 12 is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the ground lines 10 a and 10 f, the power lines 10 b and 10 e, the output signal line 10 g, the input signal line 10 h.

Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 25, and FIGS. 34A and 34B, the interlayer insulators 7 e, 9 c, 11, and 12 and the etching stopper layer 7 d are etched to form the first and second contact plugs 13 a′ and 13 a″ which respectively contact the drain region T1D of the NMOS transistor T1 and the drain region T2D of the NMOS transistor T2. The first and second parallel bit lines 14 are formed on the interlayer insulator 12. The first and second bit lines 14 are formed to cross over the cell ground line 10 a and the cell power line 10 b. The first bit line 14 is formed to cover the bit line contact plug 13 a′, and the second bit line 14 is formed to cover the bit line contact plug 13 a″.

The above described embodiments have been described focusing on the static semiconductor memory device, but the peripheral circuit of the present invention can be employed in the dynamic semiconductor memory device to reduce the layout area size.

As described herein before, the semiconductor memory device and the arrangement method thereof according to the present invention can reduce the whole layout area size because it is possible to stack the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit as well as the memory cell array.

Further, the semiconductor memory device and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention can provide the semiconductor integrated circuits having high integrated memory cells and high performance peripheral transistors because the memory cell having the thin film transistors is provided in the memory cell array and the peripheral transistors are provided in the peripheral body pattern of the single crystal semiconductor structure grown from the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region. That is, stable operation can be performed by stacking the transistors which constitute the memory cell array and arranging the transistors which constitute the peripheral circuit on the third layer.

FIG. 35 shows a semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure according to embodiments of the present invention. The semiconductor memory device of FIG. 35 includes a memory cell array block 110 and a sub word line decoder 120. The memory cell array block 110 includes sub memory cell array blocks SMCA1 to SMCAi which each includes memory cells MC and may be one of a plurality of memory cell array blocks (not shown). The sub word line decoder 120 includes sub decoders SD1 to SDi which each includes drivers D, may be one of a plurality of sub word line decoders (not shown) and may be disposed between a plurality of memory cell array blocks. In FIG. 35, MC can be a static memory cell, and D can be a decoder and/or a driver. “BL1,BL1B” to “BLm,BLmB” represent bit line pairs, MWL1 to MWLi represent main word lines, “SWL11 to SWL1 n” to “SWLi1 to SWLin” represent sub word lines, and PXL1 to PXLn represent selecting signal lines, respectively. In FIG. 35, the word line decoder 120 can be disposed within a memory cell array other than a peripheral circuit.

In FIG. 35, each of the sub memory cell array blocks SMCA1 to SMCAi includes the memory cells MC, and each of the sub decoders SD1 to SDi includes the drivers D. The sub decoders SD1 to SDi drive the corresponding main word lines MWL1 to MWLi and the corresponding sub word lines “SWL11 to SWL1 n” to “SWLi1 to SWLin” which, respectively, respond to selecting signals applied to the selecting signal lines PXL1 to PXLn. For example, the sub memory cell array block SMCA1 drives the corresponding main word line MWL1 and the corresponding sub word lines SWL11 to SWL1 n which, respectively, respond to the selecting signals applied to the selecting signal lines PXL1 to PXLn.

In FIG. 35, transistors which configure the memory cell array 100 and/or the word line decoder 120 of the semiconductor memory device of the present invention can be disposed on at least two layers or floors.

FIG. 36 shows one embodiment of the driver shown in FIG. 35. In FIG. 36, PX denotes a selecting signal transmitted to a selecting signal line, “a” is connected to a main word line MWL, and “b” is connected to a sub word line SWL.

In FIG. 36, a driver D outputs a signal of a low level to the sub word line as an NMOS transistor N is turned on in response to the selecting signal PX of a high level, and outputs a signal transmitted to the main word line to the sub word line as a PMOS transistor P is turned on in response to the selecting signal PX of a low level. A signal of a high level transmitted to the main word line and a voltage Vpx applied to a substrate of the PMOS transistor P can have a higher voltage level than a power voltage. That is, the driver D combines the selecting signal PX and a signal transmitted to the main word line to drive the sub word line.

FIGS. 37A to 37C show a first arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 37A to 37C, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 may be arranged on one of at least two layers, and the drivers D of the sub word line decoder 120 may be arranged on at least one of at least two layers. In FIGS. 37A and 37B, “A” denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors staked on two layers, and “B” denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors stacked on three layers.

In FIG. 37A, in case of A, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 are disposed on a first layer 1F, and the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 are disposed on a second layer 2F. Even though not shown, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cells MC may be disposed on the second layer 2F, and the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 may be disposed on the first layer 1F.

In FIG. 37A, in case of B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 are disposed on the first layer 1F, and the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 are disposed on the second layer 2F or a third layer 3F. Even though not shown, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cells MC may be disposed on either the second layer 2F or the third layer 3F, and the drivers D may be disposed on a different layer from the layer on which the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin are disposed.

In FIG. 37B, in case of A, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 are disposed on the first layer 1F, the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F, and the drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F are connected to the corresponding sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin, respectively. Even though not shown, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin may be disposed on the second layer 2F.

In FIG. 37B, in case of B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 are disposed on the first layer 1F, and the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F (or the first layer 1F and the third layer 3F), and the drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F (or the first layer 1F and the third layer 3F) are connected to the corresponding sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin, respectively. Even though not shown, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin may be disposed on either the second layer 2F (or the third layer 3F).

In FIGS. 37A and 37B, for example, the drivers D connected to odd-numbered sub word lines and the drivers D connected to even-numbered sub word lines may be dispersed and disposed on different layers.

In FIG. 37C, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 are disposed on the first layer 1F, the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F, the second layer 2F and the third layer 3F, and the drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, the second layer 2F and the third layer 3F are connected to the corresponding sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin, respectively. For example, the drivers D connected to (2n−1)-th (n is a natural number) sub word lines may be disposed on the first layer 1F, the drivers D connected to 2n-th sub word lines may be disposed on the second layer 2F, and the drivers D connected to (2n+1)-th sub word lines may be disposed on the third layer 3F. Even though not shown, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin may be disposed on the second layer 2F (or the third layer 3F).

FIGS. 38A and 38B show a second arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin of the memory cell array block 110 can be arranged on at least two layers, and the drivers D of the sub word line decoder 120 can be arranged on one of at least two layers. In FIG. 38A, A denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors staked on two layers, and B denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors stacked on three layers.

In FIG. 38A, in case of A, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F, and the drivers D are disposed on the first layer 1F. The sub word lines disposed on the first layer 1F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively, and the sub word lines disposed on the second layer 2F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively. Even though not shown, the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 may be disposed on the second layer 2F other than the first layer 1F.

In FIG. 38A, in case of B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F and the third layer 3F, and the drivers D are disposed on the first layer 1F. The sub word lines disposed on the first layer 1F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively, and the sub word lines disposed on the third layer 3F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively. Even though not shown, the drivers D of the sub word line driver 120 may be disposed on the second layer 2F or the third layer 3F other than the first layer 1F, and the sub word lines SWL11, SWL12, . . . , SWLin may be dispersed and disposed on the second layer 2F and the third layer 3F or the first layer 1F and the second layer 2F.

In FIG. 38A, for example, odd-numbered sub word lines and even-numbered sub word lines can be disposed on different layers.

In FIG. 38B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin are dispersed and disposed on the first layer 1F, the second layer 2F and the third layer 3F, and the drivers D are disposed on the first layer 1F. The sub word lines disposed on the first layer 1F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively, the sub word lines disposed on the second layer 2F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively, and the sub word lines disposed on the third layer 3F are connected to the corresponding drivers D disposed on the first layer 1F, respectively. For example, (2n−1)-th (n is a natural number) sub word lines can be disposed on the first layer 1F, 2n-th sub word lines can be disposed on the second layer 2F, and (2n+1)-th sub word lines can be disposed on the third layer 3F. Even though not shown, the drivers D can be disposed on the second layer 2F or the third layer 3F other than the first layer 1F.

FIG. 39 shows a third arrangement of static memory cells and drivers of a semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 39, the memory cells of the memory cell array block 110 and the drivers D of the sub word line decoder 120 are disposed on at least two layers. In FIG. 39, A denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors staked on two layers, and B denotes a semiconductor memory device having transistors stacked on three layers.

In case of A, about half (½) of the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin are disposed on the first layer 1F, the remaining sub word lines are disposed on the second layer 2F, the drivers D connected to the sub word lines disposed on the first layer 1F are disposed on the first layer 1F, and the drivers D connected to the sub word lines disposed on the second layer 2F are disposed on the second layer 2F. For example, odd-numbered sub word lines and drivers D connected thereto may be disposed on the first layer 1F, and even-numbered sub word lines and drivers D connected thereto may be disposed on the second layer 2F.

In case of B, the sub word lines SWL11 to SWLin and the drivers D of the sub word line decoder 120 are dispersed and disposed on the three layers 1F, 2F and 3F. For example, (2n−1)-th (n is a natural number) sub word lines and drivers D connected thereto may be disposed on the first layer 1F, 2n-th sub word lines and drivers D connected thereto may be disposed on the second layer 2F, and (2n+1)-th sub word lines and drivers D connected thereto may be disposed on the third layer 3F.

In the embodiments described above, the sub word lines of the memory cell array block 110 are formed by connecting gate electrodes of transmission transistors of the static memory cells to each other. When the memory cells of one memory cell array block 110 are disposed on at least two layers, the sub word lines are preferably formed on a layer on which transmission transistors T1 and T2 are disposed, and pull-up transistors PU1 and PU2 and pull-down transistors PD1 and PD2 may be disposed on the same as and/or a different layer from the transmission transistors T1 and T2.

When the sub word line decoder 120 of the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiments of the present invention has an additional configuration in addition to the drivers D, transistors (not shown) for an additional configuration other than the transistors P and N which configure the drivers D can be disposed on the same as and/or a different layer from a layer on which the drivers D are disposed.

FIG. 40 shows another semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure according to embodiments of the present invention. The semiconductor memory device of FIG. 40 is different from that of FIG. 35 in the fact that the memory cell array block 110 of FIG. 35 is a static memory cell array block having static memory cells, whereas a memory cell array block of FIG. 40 is a non-volatile memory cell array block having non-volatile memory cells FMC. As shown in FIG. 40, the memory cell array block 110 includes sub memory cell array blocks SMCA1 to SMCAi and may be one of a plurality of memory cell array blocks (not shown). A sub word line decoder 120 includes sub decoders SD1 to SDi, may be one of a plurality of sub word line decoders (not shown) and may be disposed between a plurality of memory cell array blocks. In FIG. 39, MC may be a static memory cell, and D can be a decoder and/or a driver. BL1 to BLm represent bit lines, MWL1 to MWLi represent main word lines, PXL1 to PXLn represent selecting signal lines, SSL1 to SSLi represent source selecting lines, GSL1 to GSLi represent drain selecting lines, and CSL1 to CSLi represent common source lines. In FIG. 39, the word line decoder 120 may be disposed within a memory cell array other than a peripheral circuit.

FIG. 41 shows one embodiment of the driver shown in FIG. 40. The driver of FIG. 41 includes a PMOS transistor P and an NMOS transistor N. In FIG. 41, MWE denotes a main word line signal transmitted to a main word line MWL, A is connected to a selecting signal line, B is connected to a sub word line, and C is connected to a voltage line.

In FIG. 41, the NMOS transistor N is turned on in response to the main word line signal MWE of a high level to output a voltage transmitted through the node C to the sub word line, and the PMOS transistor P is turned on in response to the main word line signal MWE of a low level to output a signal of a level transmitted to the main word line to the sub word line. A voltage Vpx applied to a substrate of the PMOS transistor P can be much higher in voltage level than a power voltage. That is, the driver D combines the selecting signal PX and a signal transmitted to the main word line to drive the sub word line.

A program operation, an erase operation and a read operation of the non-volatile memory cell shown in FIG. 39 are performed by well known methods, and thus a description on them is omitted.

Like the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 35, the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 40 may have the same or similar arrangements of the memory cells and the drivers as or to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 37A to 39.

In the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, transistors disposed on the first layer may be bulk transistors, and transistors disposed on the second and third layers may be thin film transistors.

In the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, transistors disposed on the second and third layers may be realized by forming an epitaxial layer using an epitaxial growth technique or by forming a layer using a wafer bonding technique.

Also, in the embodiments described above, when the sub word line decoders 120 are disposed on at least two layers, transistors which configure one driver D are disposed on a single layer, but the transistors may be disposed on different layers.

In the embodiments described above, the semiconductor memory device has two or three transistors, but the present invention may be applied to a semiconductor memory device having four or more transistors stacked. 

1. An integrated circuit memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells electrically coupled to a plurality of word lines, said array comprising memory cell transistors having channel regions formed in corresponding first semiconductor regions; and a word line decoder having a plurality of drivers therein electrically coupled to the plurality of word lines, said plurality of drivers comprising driver transistors having channel regions formed in corresponding second semiconductor regions that are displaced vertically relative to the first semiconductor regions; wherein the memory cells in said array are static random access memory (SRAM) cells having P-type and N-type memory transistors therein; and wherein the P-type and N-type memory transistors are formed in the first and second semiconductor regions, respectively, or vice versa.
 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor regions are disposed within a semiconductor substrate; and wherein the second semiconductor regions are disposed in semiconductor layers that are displaced vertically relative to the semiconductor substrate.
 3. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor regions are disposed within a semiconductor substrate; and wherein the first semiconductor regions are disposed in semiconductor layers that are displaced vertically relative to the semiconductor substrate.
 4. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the driver transistors comprise P-type and N-type driver transistors formed in the first and second semiconductor regions, respectively, or vice versa.
 5. A semiconductor memory device having transistors of stacked structure, comprising: a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines; and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively; wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least one first layer, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least one second layer different from the first layer; and wherein the plurality of memory cells are static memory cells that respectively comprise two second transistors, the first transistor is disposed on the first layer, and the second transistors are disposed on at least one of the first layer and the second layer.
 6. The semiconductor memory device of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of drivers comprises at least two transistors.
 7. A semiconductor memory device, comprising: a memory cell array block containing a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells that respectively include at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines; and a word line decoder comprises a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively; wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least one first layer, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least one second layer different from the first layer; and wherein the at least one second layer includes two second layers, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on the two second layers.
 8. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of drivers comprises at least two second transistors, and the at least two second transistors of each of the plurality of drivers are disposed on the same layer of the at least two second layers.
 9. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of memory cells are static memory cells, the static memory cell further comprises two second transistors, the first transistor is disposed on the first layer, and the second transistors are disposed on at least one of the first layer and the second layer.
 10. The semiconductor memory device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of memory cells are non-volatile memory cells, and the first transistor is disposed on the first layer.
 11. A semiconductor memory device, comprising: a memory cell array block containing a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells that respectively include at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines; and a word line decoder comprising a plurality of drivers that drive the plurality of word lines, respectively; wherein the plurality of word lines are disposed on at least one first layer, and the plurality of drivers are disposed on at least one second layer different from the first layer; and wherein the at least one first layer includes two first layers, and the plurality of word lines are disposed on the two first layers.
 12. A semiconductor memory device, comprising: a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines; and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively; wherein the plurality of word lines are dispersed and stacked on at least two layers, and the plurality of drivers connected to the plurality of word lines are disposed on a corresponding layer of the at least two layers; and wherein the plurality of memory cells are static memory cells that respectively comprise two second transistors, and the first transistor and the second transistors are disposed on at least one of the at least two layers.
 13. The semiconductor memory device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of drivers comprises at least two transistors.
 14. The semiconductor memory device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of memory cells are non-volatile memory cells, and the first transistor is disposed on the first layer. 